RUTH HANSFORD

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WORDS & MUSIC

OPERA SURTITLES
Since 2013 I have been creating surtitles for the Guildhall Opera School, Classical Opera, Opera Settecento and others, so far translating from Italian, German and French. I create cueing scores and surtitle files (including from English) for a number of companies in the UK and elsewhere.

As a surtitle operator I work with companies of all sizes including the Royal Opera, ENO, Monteverdi Choir & Orchestra, Opera Holland Park, as well as with festivals and small companies. I work with standard and non-standard setups and can advise companies new to surtitles on what is affordable and suitable. I participated in the AHRC-funded Translating Music project 2013-15 to complement my practice with some of the theory and policy issues.

I am lucky to be able to use my background in languages and literature as well as my knowledge of the repertoire. I coach singers on mainly French diction and phonetics, working with operatic and choral soloists and ensembles. I translate vocal texts from French, Italian, German, Spanish, Czech and Russian, and can source translations into these and other languages. I have 20+ years’ experience of producing printed programmes for festivals, concerts, recitals and operas, and I write occasional live concert and opera reviews.

I have written for publication online and in print all my career and have edited and proofread material on a wide range of topics. I can commission drawings and photos, and can help with structure and design of information. See PROJECTS for some examples.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPEAKING VOICE

“Amazing to see what a difference it makes if you breathe properly!”

I was commissioned to develop a workshop aimed at those who feel their speaking voice lets them down in meetings and presentations. I help them to use their voice more effectively and increase vocal stamina, through posture, breathing plus a better understanding of how the voice works (and how our audiences hear us). I offer a two-hour session for small groups or individuals, and a half-day workshop for groups. Time to speak up in the library is an article I wrote for the journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.